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Officers from the Bloomington Police Department made their 12th arrest in connection to a drug operation at Southern Winds Inn Apartments.

Marlon Champagnie, 38, was served an arrest warrant for three counts of dealing cocaine, each Class B felonies, at about 9:15 p.m. Thursday following a traffic stop, said Lt. Bill Parker of the BPD. He was booked into the Monroe County Jail at 10:15 p.m.

Parker said a BPD detective observed Champagnie in his white Ford Escort at the Village Pantry at 275 E. Winslow Road. The detective called for backup, but before help arrived, Champagnie left the Village Pantry. Parker said the detective followed Champagnie’s vehicle.

Officers stopped Champagnie on the 2400 block of South Walnut Street Pike, Parker said, and arrested him without an incident.

Champagnie, who also lives in Southern Winds Inn with other individuals arrested for the drug operation, was not in possession of a controlled substance during the time of his arrest, Parker said.

The investigation of a drug distribution operation located at Southern Winds Inn is still ongoing.

Earlier information

Eleven people were arrested Wednesday morning by the Bloomington Police Department for various drug-related charges as a result of a three-month drug investigation focusing on the Southern Winds Inn Apartments, located at 3000 S. Walnut St.

Items seized during the searches included about 40-50 grams of cocaine, about 40 grams of heroin, a 9mm Ruger handgun and $5,100 in cash. BPD Cpt. Joe Qualters said the total street value of the seized drugs is nearly $20,000.

The drug operation was estimated to bring in about $5,000 to $10,000 per week.

At about 5:30 a.m., officers executed search warrants in four apartments in the complex, Qualters said in a press release.

Ten of the arrested suspects were nabbed at the scene, and another suspect was arrested several hours later near a motel in the 1700 block of North Walnut Street.

“We believe that these arrests will have a significant impact on the availability of crack cocaine and heroin in Bloomington, and I commend the investigators for their work on this case,” BPD Chief Michael Diekhoff said in the release.

“We continue to deal with those who come from other locations to set up drug dealing operations in our community, and it should be clear that we will identify you, target you and arrest you for your illegal activity.”

The investigation began when investigators became aware of an individual known only as “Frog,” who was reportedly involved in dealing heroin at the Southern Winds Inn. Frog was later identified as Larry D. Johnson of Michigan, Qualters said.

BPD drug investigators, detectives and uniform personnel were all involved in the operation. The Critical Incident Response Team was utilized because of the prevalence of weapons being carried by the individuals under surveillance.

One individual had been observed carrying three weapons as investigators conducted surveillance during the last few weeks, Qualters said.

Investigators indicated they observed lines form outside the apartments involved in dealing drugs. The complex, Qualters said, was frequented throughout most of the night by those seeking crack cocaine and heroin.

BPD investigators plan to discuss the possibility of federal charges with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms because of the quantity of drugs seized, as well as the use of firearms by those involved in the dealing activity, according to the release.

Those arrested for dealing charges have addresses of either Detroit or Battle Creek, Mich. One of the arrested suspects might have as many as 13 prior convictions, Qualters said.

The investigation is ongoing, and BPD expects to make additional arrests.

Dwayne J. Fredrick Possession of cocaine with intent to deal, a Class A felony, and possession of heroin with intent to deal, a Class A felony

Ray C. Fredricks Two counts of dealing cocaine, Class B felonies, possession of cocaine with intent to deal, a Class A felony, and possession of heroin with intent to deal, a Class A felony

William C. Holloway (aka “Bones”) Dealing heroin, a Class B felony

Larry D. Johnson (aka “Frog”) Two counts of dealing heroin, Class B felonies, possession of heroin with intent to deal, a Class A felony, possession of cocaine with intent to deal, a Class A felony, and serious violent felon in possession of a firearm, a Class B felony